Residents in Makurdi complain of power outage

Residents of Makurdi, the Benue State capital have continued to groan under the consistent blackout and power outage in most parts of the town.

For almost one month now, residents of Makurdi have continued to lament the constant blackout and power shortage in most parts of the metropolis, a development which the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) in charge of power distribution in Makurdi blamed on the activities of vandals.

Areas mostly affected by the power outage include Adeke, Mobile Barracks, Ankpa Quarters, Wadata, Judges Quarters, Terwase Agbadu, Gyado villa, Akpehe, North Bank, Demekpe, Modern Market and Apir among others.

While some residents regretted that the perpetual power outage has drastically reduced their income as patronage had become drastically reduced, others lament that they had to spend a lot of money buying fuel to run their business.

“We can’t have light in our houses. Our businesses are dying. People are no longer coming around because they cannot get cold water or cold drinks any more. Yet we continue to get bills on a monthly basis, haba!”, a store owner.”

Another resident in the Adeke area of Makurdi, said they had to resort to sleeping outside at night to get some fresh air just as another noted that they have been providing their own light using generator sets a situation which has turned JED into a stand-by power supplier.

They therefore appealed to JED to live up to its responsibilities and restore power to Makurdi and to stop bringing bills for light that they did not use.

Commenting on the matter, Business Manager of JED, (Makurdi Business Unit) Engr. John Omeruwa who confirmed the perennial power outage in Makurdi blamed the development on the activities of vandals in the state.

He explained further that the vandalizing of armored cables in Judges Quarters, Abu King Shuluwa road, Adeke and Akpehe almost on daily basis was causing the black out.

Omeruwa also blamed the current situation on the marginal drop in power allocation to Benue which has led to rationing of power in Makurdi since everyone cannot be served at the same time.

He however appeal for patience saying his company working to replace the stolen cables advising residents to protect power installations in the vicinity.

Source: http://sunnewsonline.com/